If You’re Going to Buy a Budget-Friendly Knife Block Set, Go with This Highly Rated Amazon Bestseller

If you’ve been reading Kitchn for a while, then you probably know that we don’t typically recommend buying a knife block set. If you’re short on counter space they take up too much room, and oftentimes you’ll end up with way more knives than you need. As with everything, though, it’s up to you and what makes sense for your needs — and there are definitely reasons why having a knife block set makes sense. If space isn’t an issue, they’re great for storing all your knives in one place (especially if you don’t like the look of knives hanging on a magnetic strip), and are guaranteed to have everything a home chef needs.

If you do want to invest in a good knife block set without shelling out (they can get expensive!), we recommend this Amazon bestseller: Cuisinart’s 15-piece stainless steel block set. It has nearly 1,500 5-star reviews and costs less than $50, so it’s a real win-win — not to mention that it’ll last for years if taken care of properly.

It includes an 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch slicing knife, 7-inch santoku knife, 5.5-inch serrated utility knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, 3.5-inch bird’s beak paring knife, 8-inch sharpening steel, all-purpose shears, and six 4.5-inch steak knives, all held in a matte black wooden block. Each piece has a brushed stainless finish and boasts an ergonomically designed grip and lighter weight for a superior feel.

Take this reviewer, who typically selects the premium version of products: “I have always been that person that bought really expensive knives. I bought these as an extra set for my vacation home and I will probably never get another expensive set again,” she said.

Another “avid cooker” was impressed with how sharp they were, saying: “I can only cut with one hand and these bad boys slice through tomatoes like nobody’s business. One-handed cutter’s dream.” She also commented on their appearance and quality. “They are durable, there is nothing flimsy about them!! I have had several knife sets, but these are my absolute favourite!!”

Several other five-star reviews emphasized how sharp these knives were from the beginning, and were even a tad proud that they cut themselves using them. One review titled “I think I’ll have a scar on my hand from how sharp they are! 🙂” said: “I’ve never had knives that I’ve genuinely needed to take care while cutting. They are way sharper than any other knives I’ve owned. I cut myself pretty good on my left hand when chopping up some broccoli.”

Another skeptic was turned into a believer, thanks to the sharpness: “There was little to no friction while cutting which made cooking and eating a breeze. I would very HIGHLY recommend this product to anyone who home cooks meals on a regular basis.”

As with all knives, proper maintenance is key. To keep the blades sharp and rust-free, don’t put them in the dishwasher — instead, hand-wash and make sure they’re fully dry before putting them back in the knife block (which should be washed regularly, too). And if you really want to feel confident with your knife skills, check out Kitchn’s Cooking School — the first lesson is on knives!